Cole: I have unfinished business

22 June 2012 08:19

England full-back Ashley Cole regards his international career as "unfinished business".

The Chelsea defender will win his 98th cap in Sunday's Euro 2012 showdown with Italy in Kiev, keeping him on target to hit the century mark in the final in Kiev on July 1 should England get that far.

"You play for your country and it is amazing to do that. But you play to win," Cole told BBC Radio Five Live. "I have never had the joy of winning with my country."

He added: "I am not getting too ahead of myself or the team but so far it is going well.

"We have a tough game on Sunday but dreams come true and hopefully this can be one of mine."

Cole's refusal to speak with the written press stems from the huge amount of negative stories that have been published about him. Even among the England fans he does not always win favour, despite being voted player of the year in 2010.

He now admits to regrets, while accepting there is little that can be done to change the course of history.

"I would say there are (regrets)," he said. "But there is nothing I can do about them now. That's over."

If there is one person who rivals Cole for negative publicity, it is Chelsea team-mate John Terry. Yet the pair share the same ability to distance themselves from whatever has happened away from the football field and produce high-class performances on it.

"He is someone who would put his body on the line for any team and any player he plays with. He is a joy to play with," Cole said.